When Do You Need a Rugged IoT Device?

A rugged Internet of Things (IoT) device is sturdy and durable, making it an excellent fit for extreme environments like mining or aerospace engineering. However, even casual sectors like retail can benefit from them if the use case is right. 

Applications Where Rugged IoT Is Nonnegotiable

Ruggedized IoT can handle extreme temperatures, vibrations, moisture, and mechanical stress that would irreparably damage other devices. While it is best suited for industrial and military operations, numerous sectors can use it. 

Indoor Environments 

Many industries contend with excessive vibration, compression, or humidity. For instance, furnaces are sometimes used in high-temperature manufacturing. Embedding rugged IoT sensors into one enables accurate, real-time data generation. 

Health care is another field that needs ruggedized devices since workers regularly handle bodily fluids and sterilize equipment with heat treatments. Dry-heat sterilizers typically reach 340 degrees Fahrenheit for 60 minutes, 320 degrees for 120 minutes, and 300 degrees for 150 minutes. Robust equipment can handle that heat. 

Outdoor Environments

In construction, agriculture, and mining, devices routinely come into contact with sawdust, water, mud, chemical sprays, and rock dust. Workers may also accidentally drop them from heights or run them over. They must withstand everything from pressure to moisture. 

Extreme Environments 

In the oil and gas sector, drilling tools often encounter incredibly hot water and crude oil, so sensors must handle extreme force, moisture, and temperatures. Similarly, aerospace engineers can only use devices that can withstand atmospheric pressure and electromagnetic interference when equipping jets or sending satellites into low Earth orbit. 

Advantages of Using Ruggedized IoT Devices

Only specially built internet-connected devices can withstand extreme conditions for extended periods without sacrificing accuracy or performance. They’re essential for industries where regulators require stringent recordkeeping or precise monitoring. They also help improve safety in high-risk fields like construction and mining. 

Say a technician must enter a hot, enclosed space where an oxygen-deficient gas like carbon monoxide is present. Their life is on the line, so oxygen depletion and air quality sensors are essential. Alternatively, an underground pipeline could burst. The pressure and water would likely destroy a normal monitoring device, demonstrating why ruggedization is vital. 

Forestry workers can’t use existing networking infrastructure because they work in remote areas. The ideal solution is a wearable smart vest that transmits health and location data. This novel buddy system can handle environmental hazards, extreme weather, and rough handling, improving safety in off-grid locations. 

Rugged IoT is highly durable, so companies can use it underground, outside, underwater, and in space. It’s valuable whether organizations want to track equipment in extreme environments or prepare for potentially hazardous events. Even in industries like retail, sturdy, well-built devices can keep repair and replacement costs down. 

A standard IoT tool can already lower operational costs by minimizing labor and maintenance requirements, so its ruggedized counterpart would generate significant cost savings. Companies could save on expenses associated with maintenance, downtime, and insurance. For instance, they won’t have to go into the field to check unmanned nodes as often, saving time and fuel. 

What to Consider When Selecting an IoT Device

While ruggedized IoT generally outperforms its conventional counterpart, decision-makers should still exercise caution when choosing a device since numerous factors can affect lifespan and performance.

Durability Standards 

The original equipment manufacturers should comply with durability standards and conduct stress tests for validation. MIL-STD-810G and MIL-STD-810H are military standards specifying performance under various environmental conditions. The United States Department of Defense isn’t the only one using it — the transportation, aerospace, and commercial sectors do, too. 

The Ingress Protection standard is also common. It uses a two-digit system to indicate the level of protection against solid and liquid particles. The first number represents intrusion protection, with zero being none and six being full protection. The second uses the same range to signify moisture and condensation protection. The higher the number, the better the rating.

Device Performance 

Network connectivity is a significant consideration because it affects device-to-device communications. Low-bandwidth and edge systems can work in remote or off-grid settings, enabling reliable communications. 

Defenses can also impact performance. Decision-makers should account for both everyday and uncommon hazards when selecting equipment. A sensor network is only as good as its weakest point. Being overly prepared during hazardous events like a flood or a chemical leak helps minimize downtime and losses. 

Which IoT Device Works Best for Which Use Cases?

Each solution has unique pros and cons for decision-makers to consider. Whether they need a smart hard hat or a rugged sensor network depends on the hazards they face and their time spent in the field. Cost is another important factor, as ruggedized tools are often more expensive than their standard counterparts. 

#1: Ruggedized Laptops 

These laptops are robust and bulky. They typically have shock resistance, weatherproofing, and large, scratch-resistant displays, making them ideal for field operations. However, they’re heavy, which can make carrying them burdensome.

#2: Handheld Devices 

Handheld devices are compact, with a mobility-first design. They are often drop- and scratch-resistant despite being lightweight. However, their processing power can’t compare to that of a rugged laptop due to their smaller size. Mobile tablets have touchscreens and good processing power, making them an ideal middle-of-the-road alternative for many applications. 

#3: Sensors 

Sensors are permanent installations for monitoring unmanned machinery or hard-to-reach areas. Maintenance and replacements may be necessary, requiring downtime. If the network is in a remote location, technicians will have to go into the field. 

#4: Specialized Solutions 

In some industries, specialized devices like wearables and implantables exist because the market has taken off. Experts expect the rugged computing device market to achieve a 6.2% compound annual growth rate from 2025 to 2032. Technological advancement, rising workplace safety standards, and increased demand for mobile connectivity are driving factors. 

Rugged IoT for Demanding Environments  

If a business leader only has the budget for some rugged tools, they should generally prioritize those that are beneficial for the farthest away or hardest to maintain sites or use cases. This way, they can make the most out of their investment.